Macromolecular Sequencing by Quantum Transport Through Molecular Bridges

Abstract

A Fano resonator device can be used to sequence DNA or other macromolecules. The device includes customized molecular components, informed by computation analysis. Techniques for preparing and using the device also are disclosed. The device can be incorporated in a system that further includes a sample processing component and a flow chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for fabricating a sequencing device, the method comprising:
 applying a graphene monolayer onto a substrate to form a universal gate;   patterning the graphene monolayer into graphene nanoribbons separated by nanogaps;   depositing metal electrodes onto the graphene nanoribbons to form a FET array; and   depositing molecular bridges across the nanogaps,   wherein at least one of the molecular bridges has a cross section no greater than about 2 nanometers and a ballistic conductivity that is the same or substantially the same as the ballistic conductivity of a graphene nanoribbon.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising covering the graphene monolayer with a photoresist coating. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising shielding the electrodes with an insulating layer. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the nanogaps has a width no greater than about 5 nanometers. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the molecular bridges are prepared by DFT-guided solution-based synthesis. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the molecular bridges is configured for Fano resonance with a target molecule or a component thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method for of  claim 1 , wherein the sequencing device is integrated into a fluidic system for streaming a sample over the molecular bridges and/or wherein the sequencing device is integrated into a Fano resonance analysis system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating bridge molecule candidates, evaluating their Fano resonance transmission and synthesizing the molecular bridges using a selected candidate. 
     
     
         9 . A sequencing device comprising:
 a substrate supporting a graphene monolayer;   a molecular bridge at a nanogap defined in the graphene monolayer; and   electrodes for providing electron transport along the molecular bridge,   wherein the molecular bridge has a cross-section within a range of from about 1 to about 2 nanometers and has a ballistic conductivity that is the same or substantially the same as that of a nanographene ribbon.   
     
     
         10 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , wherein the nanogap has a width no greater than about 5 nanometers. 
     
     
         11 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , wherein bridge molecules are prepared by DFT-guided solution-based synthesis. 
     
     
         12 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , further comprising an insulating layer shielding the electrodes. 
     
     
         13 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , further comprising a photoresist coating over the graphene monolayer. 
     
     
         14 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , wherein the molecular bridge is coupled to graphene electrodes. 
     
     
         15 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , comprising an array including two or more molecular bridges. 
     
     
         16 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , wherein the nanogap forms a fluidic channel for passing a sample across the molecular bridge. 
     
     
         17 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , coupled to a controller for analyzing a sample by Fano resonance transmission. 
     
     
         18 . The sequencing device according to  claim 9 , integrated into a fluidic system for streaming a sample over the molecular bridge. 
     
     
         19 . A system sequencing system, comprising:
 a flow chamber; and   a Fano resonator sequencing device comprising a molecular bridge at a nanogap defined in a graphene monolayer,   wherein the molecular bridge has a cross-section no greater than about 2 nanometers and has a ballistic conductivity that is the same or substantially the same as that of a nanographene ribbon.   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising a controller. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising a sample processing component. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising a nano-slit and/or nanopillars for uncoiling a coiled macromolecule. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the molecular bridge is coupled to graphene electrodes. 
     
     
         24 . A method for sequencing a molecule, the method comprising:
 passing a sample comprising the molecule across a molecular bridge having a cross-section no greater than about 2 nanometers and a ballistic conductivity that is the same or substantially the same as the ballistic conductivity of a graphene nanoribbon; and   conducting a Fano resonance transmission analysis to identify the molecule or a component thereof.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising uncoiling a coiled molecule. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein an electron transport is directed along the molecular bridge. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the molecule is a DNA molecule, a protein or a carbohydrate. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising developing scanning waveforms for analyzing the sample.